Eastern Bergen County, NJ -- The Community Chest of Eastern Bergen County made the holidays brighter for children and families in Bergen County. During the holiday season, The Community Chest rallied its supporters to donate new winter coats for children and to contribute funds for gift cards to give families at West Side Infant & Teen Program. As a result, ten children received new winter coats and 16 families were given gift cards of $75 each.

For 90 years, The Community Chest has identified and responded to needs in local communities. The Chest provides support and awards grants to vetted nonprofits that strengthen communities and benefit people in need in the area. "The Community Chest's Board of Managers visited West Side Infant & Teen Program and saw firsthand their mission driven work to provide life skills and parenting training, as well as quality day care services for low income teenage parents in Bergen County. We were impressed by this nonprofit organization's success rate of 100 percent of the teen parents graduating from high school and continuing to college or working," said Dr. Shelly Wimpfheimer, Executive Director, The Community Chest.

"The families were thrilled with the jackets they received from The Community Chest of Eastern Bergen County. They were pretty and warm and perfect for the winter! We are so happy to have The Community Chest as a supporter," said Darlene Serrano, Executive Director, West Side Infant & Teen Program.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

Each year, The Chest raises funds and allocates them in competitive grants to nonprofit agencies demonstrating the capacity to provide services to local citizens. Coordinating and planning services are also provided in its communities, serving as a bridge between agencies and organizations and investing in the stability and quality of the service network. The organization's Board of Managers implements a thorough process of screening, research, and monitoring to assure the funds raised are directed to the most worthy programs and the areas of greatest need.

Support Our Neighbors in Their Time of Need

The public can help meet the increased need for services. Contributions of any size may be made by check to The Community Chest, located at 122 South Van Brunt Street, 2nd Floor, Englewood, NJ 07631. Donations may be made online on the organization's web site at www.thecommunitychestebc.org/. Donations are tax-deductible, as permitted by law. For information, call 201-568-7474 or contact [email protected].

About The Community Chest

Founded in 1933, The Community Chest, a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization, has supported local not-for-profit agencies for 90 years. The Chest leads initiatives and supports nonprofits that make our communities stronger and benefit people in need in eastern Bergen County. Each year, The Chest raises funds and allocates them to agencies demonstrating the capacity to provide services to local citizens. The organization also provides coordinating and planning services in its communities, serving as a bridge between agencies and organizations and investing in the stability and quality of the service network.

The Community Chest's Board of Managers is comprised of community leaders dedicated to improving the lives of neighbors in need. People interested in being considered for board membership may contact executive director Shelly Wimpfheimer at (201) 568-7474.